Crosby, Benjamin chosen to lead Commission

For several years, the Jeff Davis County Commissioners has had problems with the annual task of selecting a chairman and vice-chairman to serve during the next year.
But that was not the case last Tuesday at the commission’s first meeting of 2026. When the time came to elect the chair, Ricky Crosby was quickly chosen to continue in his role as chairman, with Vann Wooten opposed. And then James Benjamin was unanimously selected vice-chairman, succeeding 2025 vice-chair Wooten.
With that task out of the way, the remainder of the meeting also moved along in an orderly fashion.
The commissioners selected ex-officio members to the various county boards:
• James Benjamin to the Health Department Board
• Rob Stone to the Hospital Board
• Vann Wooten to the Recreation Department Board
• Ricky Crosby to the Joint Development Authority
• Vann Wooten to the South Georgia Regional Development Authority
• Ricky Crosby to the Library Board
• Vann Wooten and James Emory Tate to the Insurance Committee
• James Benjamin to the Seven Rivers RC&D (Resource, Conservation and Development) Commission
• James Benjamin to the Heart of Georgia Regional Development Commission
Later in the meeting, Wooten brought up the practice of requiring members of the public to fill out sign-up sheets before being allowed to address the commission. He suggested the commission rescind the previous action requiring the sign-up sheets, saying he wanted to hear from the public without that requirement. The commissioners voted unanimously to rescind the previous action.
In other action, the commissioners …
… agreed to advertise for two weeks for members of the Department of Family and Children Services Board from the Blackburn and Whitehead districts.
… listened to an update from County Administrator Jayme Crosby who said the county is 50 percent into the budget year. She addressed the dates for ACCG conference in Savannah and brought up several items to be put up for bids: the county’s Brooker Street property, a bulldozer at the road department, and the mobile home road department office. Commissioner Benjamin suggested the Brooker Street property receive a minimum bid of $2,000 and the bidder is responsible for closing costs. County Administrator Crosby asked for an update about the trash pickup with Ryland Environmental. Crosby said it was a rough start, but is going smoothly with a schedule. Ryland will go on Mondays to the sites when they are closed to empty containers. Crosby also mentioned local trash pickup when household trash is taken to a dumpsite. Ryland r wanted the commissioners to decide if they were going to keep allowing them to dump at the dumpsites or having them take it to the transfer station. Commissioner Vann Wooten said he wanted to leave it the same.
… voted to sell the property on Brooker Street with a minimum bid of $2,000.
… agreed to advertise for sealed bids for the John Deere Bulldozer at the road department
… approved selling the road department mobile home office and buyer has 30 days to move it.
… approved allowing local trash to continue being taken to the county dumpsites.
… heard Commissioner Rob Stone who addressed the Alma highway dumpsite. He said the containers are not close enough for residents to throw trash safely. Commissioner Benjamin mentioned that the Hallspur dumpsite needs a ramp. Commissioner Wooten suggested sending roads supervisor Chris Horton to look at them. Commissioner Stone said he had received several phone calls about a trailer park close to his house. Crosby said the four trailers on the property had the correct permits and it appeared more may be moving in. She is checking in with the Health Department to make sure they have correct paperwork for the trailers.
… heard from Crosby who said have several residents had asked for a move-only permit. That would be 30 days to move and not set up until they can find a location for it. Chairman Crosby said to leave like it is and request all documents before issuing the permit.
… met in closed session to discuss personnel. After re-opening the meeting, the commissioners voted to advertise for a road department mechanic position.